A forum on Huai'an's cooperation with Europe and Germany was held in the city on May 6, when participants held deep exchanges over trade and economic development. Participants also witnessed the contract signing and unveiling ceremony for a program called 'Germany and Europe Center/Germany Industrial Town'.

In recent years, Huaiyin District of Huai'an has actively followed the One Belt and One Road initiative to seek and strengthen international cooperation. Last August, the Institute for Automation and Industrial Technology opened a branch in Huaiyin. According to Liu Zeyu, Party chief of Huaiyin District, more than 100 countries and international organizations have actively joined cooperation with Huaiyin since the initiative began four years ago.